Newcastle look set to miss out on defensive target to the Bundesliga

Before the appointment of Joe Kinnear as director of football Newcastle United looked certain to sign former FC Twente defender Douglas but now the Brazilian looks bound for Hannover 96, reports Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad.

The 25-year-old is available on a free transfer since leaving Twente this summer and the Magpies had been leading the race for the centre-back before Kinnear decided it was not a good deal.

Now manager Alan Pardew will have to watch on grimly as Douglas makes the switch to the Bundesliga instead.

“He would be a tremendous asset for us,” Hannover boss Martin Kind said, clearly stating his intentions to sign the Brazilian.

There has also been interest from Italy for the defender with both Lazio and Inter Milan keeping tabs on the ex-Twente man, but Germany now seems like his most probable destination.

Douglas moved to the Netherlands in 2007 from his home country of Brazil and went onto make 243 appearances for Twente, including picking up vital experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.

Having never earned a cap for Brazil the centre-back let it be known he would be eligible to play the Dutch national team, although despite being called up to the Netherlands squad at the end of 2012 has yet to make an international appearance.

Newcastle are keen to improve their squad this summer following a disappointing Premier League campaign last season.

As yet no new additions have been added at St James’ Park and the Magpies missed out on Ivorian striker Arouna Kone to Everton on Monday.